Today, Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth) and Graydon Smith, Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Member of Provincial Parliament, joined Steve Teekens, Executive Director of Na-Me-Res, John Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of NICHI Housing, and Nancy Martin, President of the Miziwe Biik Development Corporation (MBDC), for the opening of 20 new supportive homes for Indigenous men leaving the shelter system or currently experiencing homelessness.
The new Na-Me-Res building at 230 Coxwell Ave. will feature 17 one-bedroom units and three studio apartments, offering onsite support for Indigenous men. Using an Indigenous approach, Na-Me-Res client services will have components that focus on mental and physical health, community integration as well as spiritual and general well-being.
Funding and partnership
Led by Na-Me-Res, a community organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous men experiencing homelessness through outreach and housing, 230 Coxwell Ave. was funded by all orders of government and non-profit funding.
The City invested more than $2 million in capital funding and incentives, including development charge exemptions and waived fees. The project was also supported through a $5.8 million investment by the federal government, over $1.7 million in federal-provincial funding, and over $1.1 million in provincial funding through MBDC. The project also received nearly $3 million through the National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc.
Supportive housing
230 Coxwell Ave is an example of the City’s focus on building more supportive housing to help people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The City is targeting approving 18,000 new supportive homes by 2030.
Supportive housing is an essential component of the City’s housing stock. It provides permanent, deeply affordable rental housing with support services on-site to help people exit homelessness, achieve housing stability, and improve their health and well-being.
The City cannot do it alone – building new supportive homes requires investment from all orders of government. Supportive housing reduces pressure on shelters and encampments and ensures everyone has a warm, safe place to call home.
This project is contributing to the City’s HousingTO Plan target to deliver 65,000 new rent-controlled homes, including 41,000 affordable rental, 6,500 rent-geared-to-income and 17,500 rent-controlled homes by 2030. More information is available on the City’s website.
Quotes:
“The City of Toronto is building more affordable and supportive homes in Toronto. Today, Na-Me-Res opened their new supportive housing building that was jointly funded by all levels of government. With this new housing, 20 indigenous men in Toronto who don’t have to face homelessness anymore. This project demonstrates how intergovernmental support enables us to continue our work to end homelessness and build permanent homes.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“I’m thrilled to see another affordable housing project open. I was proud to attend the official opening of Na-Me-Res today, which will offer 20 homes for Indigenous men exiting homelessness and will provide on-site supports for its residents.”
–Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth)
“Today is about more than opening the doors to 20 new homes. It is about giving people a safe place to belong, the support to move forward and the opportunity to build a better future. By working alongside Indigenous housing partners and supporting culturally appropriate care, our government is helping strengthen our communities and ensure more people have a place to call home.”
– Graydon Smith, Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
“For our team at Na-Me-Res, Wiigwaasinaagan is about much more than opening a new building. It means 20 Indigenous men who have experienced homelessness will now have a safe, deeply affordable place to call home. We all know the importance of having a place to call home and the difference it can make in someone’s life.
“Wiigwaasinaagan, meaning ‘birch bark bowl,’ will provide housing, support, community and a sense of belonging to help Indigenous men move forward on their journey toward Mino Bimaadiziwin – living the good life.”
–Steve Teekens, Executive Director, Na-Me-Res
“Housing is about dignity, safety, and hope. The Na-Me-Res development at 230 Coxwell Ave. demonstrates how Indigenous organizations are creating lasting change for their communities. Supported by $2.9 million in funding delivered by the National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc. (NICHI), this project is a testament to the success of the For Indigenous, By Indigenous (FIBI) approach.”
– John Gordon, Chief Executive Officer, National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc. (NICHI)
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